WJPA Sports

Makayla Gonglik doubled in a pair of runs in the bottom of the first leading Bentworth to its first-ever WPIAL softball championship, beating 4-time defending champion Neshannock, 4-1.  Alexa Babirad tripled to open the inning followed by a walk to Sofia Gaussa. Gonglik then stroked a double to left, putting the Bearcats in front, three batters into the game. Junior pitcher Sydney Gonglik got the complete game win, allowing just two hits and three walks while striking out 10. Bentworth will play District 10 runner-up Wilmington Monday in the opening round of the PIAA playoffs.  Jeff-Morgan held off a late West Greene rally to claim the final 1A PIAA playoff berth.

Carmichaels takes on top-seeded Union Thursday with the 1A softball title on the line.

Wednesday, the League opens the WPIAL Softball Championships with three games set for PennWest-California’s Lilley Field, including the 2A Bentworth vs. Neshannock game at 11:45 am on WJPA-AM (1450). Later Wednesday afternoon, Jeff-Morgan takes on West Greene  for the final 1A softball state berth. Bentworth, Carmichaels, Chartiers-Houston and Fort Cherry have already clinched PIAA berths. The state tournaments are set to begin June 1.

WPIAL Championship Week got off to a rough start for Fort Cherry baseball. The Rangers committed five infield errors on the way to an 11-2 loss to Neshannock in the Class 2A Final at EQT Park.  All told, the Lancers were gifted seven extra outs and cruised to their 7th WPIAL baseball title.  Chartiers-Houston softball lost to Laurel in the Class 2A Third-Place game, sending the Bucs into the PIAA tournament as the League’s 4th place team, putting them in the top half of the state bracket.

WPIAL Baseball Brackets 
Tuesday, May 26
1A Final Eden Christian > Greensburg Central Catholic, 5-1
1A Third Place Serra Catholic > Western Beaver, 5-0
2A Final Neshannock > Fort Cherry, 11-2  Listen Here
2A Third Place Riverview > South Side Beaver, 12-2 (6) (only Riverview qualifies for PIAA)
4A Final Indiana > Elizabeth-Forward, 4-0
4A Third Place Hopewell > Derry Area, 3-0 (only Hopewell qualifies)

Wednesday, May 27
3A Final Ellwood City > South Park, 5-2
5A Third Place Montour > Thomas Jefferson, 9-3
6A Final Butler > North Allegheny, 4-2
3A Third Place Avonworth > Riverside, 9-2
5A Final Upper St. Clair > South Fayette, 3-2

WPIAL Softball Brackets
Tuesday, May 26
3A Third Place Ellwood City > Keystone Oaks, 5-1 (only Ellwood City qualifies)
5A Third Place Baldwin > Thomas Jefferson, 3-1
2A Third Place Laurel > Chartiers-Houston, 6-5
4A Third Place North Catholic > Hampton, 4-3 (only North Catholic qualifies)

Wednesday, May 27
2A Final Bentworth > Neshannock, 4-1  Watch/Listen Here
5A Final Shaler > North Hills, 10-2
1A Third Place Jeff-Morgan > West Greene, 5-4 (only Jeff-Morgan qualifies)
6A Final Hempfield >Seneca Valley, 11-1 (6)

Thursday, May 28
12:00 n 1A Final Union vs. Carmichaels
2:15 pm 3A Final South Park vs. Mt. Pleasant
4:30 pm 4A Final Elizabeth-Forward vs. Blackhawk

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Ian Happ hit a tiebreaking three-run home run and drove in five runs on Wednesday night while playing in his hometown as the Chicago Cubs ended their 10-game losing streak with a 10-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Happ’s three-run shot snapped a 4-4 tie and started a six-run inning that helped the Cubs get their first win since May 15. Pinch-hitter Michael Conforto hit a two-run home run later in the inning to extend the lead to 10-4. Happ also hit a two-run single in the first inning to open the scoring and has reached base in each of his last 40 games in Pittsburgh.

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Former NL MVP outfielder Andrew McCutchen has been designated for assignment by the Texas Rangers. The move before Wednesday’s game came after he hit .192 in his 37 games. The 39-year-old McCutchen was replaced by free agent infielder Nicky Cruz in a move spurred by the lingering absences of shortstop Corey Seager and second baseman Josh Smith. Seager is out with lower back inflammation, and Smith still hasn’t rejoined the team since a stint in the hospital with viral meningitis. McCutchen joined the Rangers on a minor league contract midway through spring training and made their opening day roster.

MONTREAL (AP) — Sebastian Aho, Jordan Staal and Logan Stankoven scored in a 2:47 span late in the first period and the Carolina Hurricanes moved within a victory of the Stanley Cup Final, beating the Montreal Canadiens 4-0 on Wednesday night. Frederik Andersen made 18 saves for his third shutout in 12 postseason games this year to help the Hurricanes take a 3-1 lead in the Eastern Conference Final. Game 5 is Friday night in North Carolina, with the series winner facing the Vegas Golden Knights. Aho scored on a one-timer on a power play with 5:02 left in the first. Staal followed with 3:53 to go, and Stankoven capped the spree with 2:14 remaining in the period.